Riding Busses with Toddlers

Laura

22
Premium Member
When I go down in November-December I'm flying by myself with my kids who will be 4 and 2 and meeting up with my Aunt, Cousin, and Grandma. I've used Disney transportation in the past, but never with kids. We're staying at All Star Movies and I stayed there in Sept 2003 and the busses were always packed full by the time they got to us so there was no room to sit. I'm just a little worried about riding in a fast moving vehicle and having to stand and hold a 2 year old at the same time. My daughter is squirmy, hates to be held, and if I don't hold her with 2 hands she'll be able to get away. This doesn't leave any hands for me to hold onto a pole. :lol: Is there any way I can leave her strapped into the stroller on the bus so that I can hang onto something? Or am I going to have to fold up the strollers? Am I stressing over nothing? :lol: Who has ridden the busses with babies or toddlers before and can give me some tips?
 

CAPTAIN HOOK

Well-Known Member
Chivalry is alive and well and living in Disney - I'm pretty sure that no matter how full your bus somebody will be more than willing to give up a seat rather than see you stand and struggle. If they don't - just make sure that your youngest has had too much to eat before the journey :hurl: :lol:
 
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tinkish

New Member
I've never had a chance to ride on those buses...nor have I done it with a small child. But, I have several years of experience working with preschool and elementary school children...field trips included. If the bus is crowded and you are clearly struggling to hold on to things, I would think there would be no problem for you to ask another passenger to move out of a seat and give you and your daughters a little room. I also think that it can sometimes help you to have a toddler harness...one that ties on your child's wrist or around the middle. I know some people don't like those...but, they give your child freedom to move around, while still limiting their wandering space. And I'm sure the driver of the bus might help you get situated, and possibly help you find a seat up front where your daughter can have some wiggle room.

I hope I was helpful.
 
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luvorlando

New Member
I know it can be difficult with little ones, but all strollers must be folded/collapsed before boarding the busses. It really helps to not have more than one package/backpack/diaper bag to have to remove from the stroller before it's collapsed too. I've seen so many parents get flustered when trying to get the kid out of the stroller, unload the packages, fold everything up... all because they weren't ready when the bus came along or didn't know that the baby couldn't stay in the stroller.

With two toddlers, I would wait for the next bus if it meant that, at least, the kids would have a seat.

But don't worry too much. Remember, you're in Disney World! Have a great time and go with the flow.
 
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DisneyPhD

Well-Known Member
Hey there I have been on WDW busses with a 8 month old, 23 month old and then again 2 more times before she turned 3. Then I have been with a 7 month old and a group that inculded another 6 month old and 2 preschoolers.

We have never had any problems with the busses really. Once on the last trip my friends son was playing around with his aunt and the busses stoped and he feel forward hurting his head a little. He was fine by the time we got off the bus.

You will have to fold down the stroller and the kids sit on a seat or lap. They can not stay in the stroller unless it is strapped down like a whelle chair.
I never had to stand with the baby, someone always popped up and gave me a seat the second I walked on. My friend did stand a few times, not sure why I always have better luck then her with people. Hubby had to stand one night with little PhD who was asleep and he was supporting the stroller too.

If you are really concerned you might want to consider a rental car.

I cut and paste this from my last trip report. It was rather flabergasting:

I just remembered something some people here might find interesting (mostly the stroller obsessed mom's.)

One day a couple gets on the bus. The father goes to the front of the bus and explains to the driver that he needs to tip the bus to get their stroller on, it would not fold up. The driver explains to him then he is not able to take it on the bus. They go back and forth a while and then magically the driver decides to let them on. So she loads this double stroller (the Peg Pergo with "boots" a front back twin, the one that goes for around $500 +) on the stroller, with the seats still on it and the kids still in the seats.) The couple with 2 kids around 1 year old each gets in. In addition the stroller was loaded down with tons of stuff in the basket under it. The driver then makes the people sitting in the HC seats move and spends 10 min locking down stroller the with the Handy Cap straps. The man was the nicest man ever, the women looked rather ed (at the world in general.) My curiosity got the better of me, I had to ask them, "If it doesn't fold down, how in the world did you get it to Disney World." The father explained that oh the seats do come off. Then he looks at my Peg Pergo Aira Twin and say's "That is a nice stroller, but we thought we might have trouble getting it through doors."

Can you imagine going through that every time you get on the bus? The kids looked perfectly normal (ie this was not a stroller/wheelchair.) The mother did get one out and sit him on her lap. She didn't make eye contact with anyone or talk on the bus ride. Boy that poor man was whipped!

Well in all my years staying at WDW property and using the buses I have never seen anything like it before. I was glad we didn't encounter it again on the trip. I don' t mind waiting for people in wheelchairs to load and be strapped down in the least bit, I am happy they are out enjoying WDW too. But hey, I had a double stroller and two kids too. (not to mention my Peg Pergo cost over 200 less then that one!) So when people ask for reconditions for a double stroller, that isn't it!
 
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HauntedPirate

Park nostalgist
Premium Member
Yes, many people will let you have their seat if they see you with with toddlers. I've seen this firsthand, having a 4 year old and 18month old myself. Although in 2003 no one would get up so my wife, who was 7 months pregnant at the time, could sit down.
 
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ClemsonTigger

Naturally Grumpy
I think your biggest challenges will be the early morning commute to the park, particularly MK, and end of the day commutes (park closing) but you probably won't be there for that.

In any case, you've been there enough times before to know that if loading/unloading get a little complicated a time or two, that you will get help, so no need to stress on the commuting. Now meals and sleeping... :rolleyes:
 
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EpcotGrl

New Member
My favorite person to come through ISC was a man with quintuplets in a loooong stroller...I always wondered if he had to lug that thing on to a bus and hold all five kids :lol:

Good luck with the kiddos! :wave:
 
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